Sony PlayStation launches Music with Spotify

Last January, Sony Entertainment made an initial announcement that it would soon launch an Music Unlimited service. True to its announcement, it has intended “spring 2015” launch of Playstation Music, a Spotify integration with PS3 and PS4 consoles. The update is now available for users across 41 major markets.

The new Spotify app for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 allows users to enjoy everything the music streaming services like listening to albums, singles and custom playlist, offered on other devices. Music can also be played in the background while playing a game. One can choose to play music from their Spotify account’s playlist, search for favorite artist or browse through curated playlists from the Spotify team.

Juggling between the game and music app is very simple. Transition is possible with just a click of a button that brings up a settings menu to change the volume of the music playing from Spotify so as to maintain the balance between perfect music-to-video- game sound ratio. The same button can be used to skip or pause songs without leaving the game. When the program is on, one can cycle through music on TV and control it with DualShock controller. A connected smartphone with Spotify app can also be used to control music.

An unique feature of the Sony PlayStation Spotify app is that it would allow the user to select music and play it over a game’s existing audio. Apart from this, it also allows the user to listen to music when not in a mood to play provided the console is connected to the stereo system. All the Spotify’s curated playlist and genres will be available in PlayStation Music as well as content from user’s own library.

The app is compatible with both Free and Premium Spotify accounts. There is no difference between the music library and features on the app. On PC, Spotify Premium cost $15 that unlocks ad-free playback and improved sound quality. PlayStation membership is not needed. If one has Spotify account, logging in is simple, and both the versions would work. Users without Spotify account can sign up via PlayStation and use the credit card associated with the users’ PlayStation Network account, a Spotify spokesperson said. New users can trial run Spotify Premium for 30 days free of cost.

PlayStation has announced the app is rolling out which means there is no specific time to expect it. Its launch in 41 different areas include United States, Canada and Mexico. No time frame has been announced when it would launched in other areas.